Every day, the Cannon Memorial YMCA gives our community the support it needs to learn, grow and thrive together. At the Y, we believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life and future success. As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through youth development, we work every day to help children and teens set and achieve their personal and educational goals.

BETTER BECAUSE OF YOU

Financial Assistance

At the Y, no one is turned away because of their inability to pay. That’s our promise to the community, and our Annual Support Campaign makes it possible. The Annual Support Campaign provides financial assistance to families and individuals in the form of Open Doors Scholarships. Open Doors members are able to build a strong sense of community at the YMCA while they participate in transformational opportunities like swim lessons, summer camp and Active Older Adult activities.

Jesslynn has an infectious smile, and generates warmth and energy. No one would ever know about the obstacles she has overcome in her thirteen years of life. Jesslynn has Down Syndrome, a chromosomal condition often associated with intellectual and developmental challenges. At age eleven, Jesslynn was removed from her parents’ custody and separated from her siblings when her parents faced personal challenges of their own. She then went to live with her grandparents, Mary and Billy.

Facing health issues themselves, Mary and Billy needed help in raising Jesslynn. That’s where the Kannapolis YMCA came in. Mary signed Jesslynn up for summer camp with the support of the Open Doors financial assistance program.

Everyday Impact

Where society falls short, the Y and supporters like you step in. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Cannon Y awarded over $200,000 in financial assistance to members in 2018. For children without a safe place to go after school, single parents with no support system, and individuals in need of an inclusive environment to get healthy, the Y is a solution.

INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE

At the Y, we believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life and future success. As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through youth development, we work every day to help children and teens set and achieve their personal and educational goals. That makes for confident kids today, and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow. We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

MORE THAN A GYM

Because we know that healthy lifestyles are achieved through nurturing mind, body and spirit, well-being and fitness at the Y is so much more than just working out. Beyond fitness facilities, we provide educational programs to promote healthier decisions, and offer a variety of programs that support physical, intellectual and spiritual strength. Your donations enable us to offer these programs to all, regardless of an individual’s financial means.

We teach character values and expose children to rewarding activities. Whether it’s gaining the confidence that comes from learning to swim or building the positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, participating in sports at the Y is about building the whole individual, from the inside out.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR IMPACT?

Leave Your Legacy

Have you included, or do you plan to include the Cannon Memorial YMCA in your estate plans? To learn how to leave your legacy at the Cannon Y, please contact:

We're More Than a Place. We're a Cause

We believe that to bring about meaningful change in individuals and communities, we must be focused and accountable. At the Y, we measure the success of our cause by how well we engage communities in our three areas of focus.

Youth Development

At the Y, we don’t just teach swimming lessons or coach soccer: We ensure that the nine million children and teens in our programs reach their full potential by helping them grow—physically, mentally and socially—from young children into engaged, active members of their communities.
Y programs support youth development from cradle to career in thousands of communities across the country, building strong kids and strong futures for us all.

Healthy Living

The Y is more than a place to get physically active; it's a driving force behind living a healthy and full life. Working with local communities, Ys are involved in system, policy and environmental changes that help individuals of all ages and backgrounds grow healthier.
Over the past decade, local leaders reported Ys having influenced more than 39,000 changes, positively impacting up to 73 million lives.

Social Responsibility

The Y responds to our communities’ most critical social needs, helping individuals in 10,000 communities nationwide reach their full potential.
Our wide-ranging work includes ensuring children have access to healthy meals, giving individuals the training and tools to succeed, helping diverse populations connect to their community, advocating with policymakers for change and empowering volunteers to give back. Every effort makes a difference.